HC Deb 25 July 1918 vol 108 cc2011-2W
Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) (1) whether he is aware that numerous complaints are still being received from Holland that many British non-commissioned officers interned in that country have not yet received clothing or underclothing of which they are in need; whether he is aware that British non-commissioned officers have to walk about in this friendly country in rags, without any change of underclothing, and that some of the men are still wearing the prison garb issued to them while they were in Germany; whether he will say what steps he proposes to take to compel the officer in charge of the Prisoners of War Clothing Department to carry out his duties with intelligence and dispatch; and whether he is aware that many requests have been sent by the military authorities in Holland to the War Office for clothing and underclothing for these men, and that these requests have either been ignored or been inadequately complied with; and

(2) Whether he is aware that Reports are being received from Holland that the German Government is supplying the German non-commissioned officers who are prisoners of war interned in Holland with smart full-dress peace uniforms; and whether he proposes to take steps to prevent this superior treatment of German soldiers interned in Holland compared to the treatment meted out to British non-commissioned officers interned in that country who are still after many weeks of internment provided only with their prison clothes?

Mr. J. HOPE

I am informed that clothing for all British prisoners of war interned in Holland was duly ordered by the general officer in charge of British interned prisoners of war, and supplied by the Army Clothing Department. An ample supply of clothing is now in Holland, though it is quite true that considerable delay took place in its despatch for reasons which I can explain to my hon. and gallant Friend. I am further informed that it is not the fact that British prisoners in Holland have to walk about in rags, or that their appearance compares unfavourably with that of the German prisoners in that country. I am informed that peace uniform is not issued during the War.